Flor de mi Alma

The "Flor de Mi Alma" series challenges stereotypical depictions of Latin American and Caribbean women by portraying them in non-sexualized, powerful poses, inviting viewers to see them from a new perspective.

"Flor de Mi Alma" is a culturally rich series I curated and photographed, drawing inspiration from Selena’s song, Como La Flor. This visual narrative was designed to capture the complexity, beauty, and diversity of the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora of women living in Rome, showcasing the essence of their unique identities. Through this work, I sought to present women across the diaspora in a light that moves beyond the usual objectification and infantilization often seen in mainstream media.

Each portrait features women adorned in a palette of red, white, and black—colors that hold cultural and emotional significance. Red, symbolizing power, passion, and resilience, contrasts with the purity and serenity of white, while black evokes strength and depth. These colors together reflect the multi-dimensional nature of the women in the series—grounded yet transcendent.

Central to the series are the flowers, serving as metaphors for womanhood. Flowers, often seen as symbols of beauty and fragility, here represent not only the softness and nurturing qualities of women but also their resilience and the layers of societal expectations placed upon them. The sharp, defiant poses of the models contrast with this softness, showcasing the facades many women feel compelled to maintain—balancing vulnerability with strength in a world that demands perfection.

Framing plays a significant role in this series. It serves as an invitation for viewers to reconsider their gaze—to see not just the women in these images but all women from a new perspective. The frame symbolically calls for a deeper acknowledgment of their personhood, moving beyond superficial judgments. By reframing how women of color are perceived, "Flor de Mi Alma" challenges viewers to look past objectification and truly witness the beauty, diversity, and complexity of these women, inviting them to engage with their stories and identities in a meaningful way.